Your Roadmap to Podcast Success (Your Voice Is Required!) Q+A with Jen Rogers | #238

🍿Got Your Popcorn Ready?

Shout "YES!" loud and proud! After all, we do need to practice using our podcasting voices!

Hey there, in this episode, we'll pick up where we left off from last week's cliffhanger by answering part B of Andrea's question about voice training for podcasting.

This is definitely if you give a moose a muffin story. You see, I knew you needed more than just answers on fine tuning your podcasting voice.  You need a deep dive into what it's going to take to launch your own show with your incredible voice.

🍿I'll tackle the most pressing issue - how LONG does it take?!

🍿I'll share my overall process for creating an episode in powerful ways that engage your audience.

🍿I also share practical tips and podcasting basics on episode length, releasing schedules, and key considerations.

🍿If you are even thinking about launching, check this out first.  Then, reach out to me to get started.

P.S. What tip did I violate? Connect with me on FB or LI!
Episode 237 | Descript | Buzzsprout | Podmatch

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Transcript

Time To Simplify
 Jen Rogers | Creator of the 90-Day Sprint | Certified Coach | Keynote Speaker

I teach experienced Christian entrepreneurs how to leverage podcasting so they can grow their impact, influence + income.

If you’re a successful business owner and you haven’t launched a show, it’s time to talk about how to put your voice to work for you!

Your Roadmap to Podcast Success (Your Voice Is Required!) Q+A with Jen Rogers | #238

Jen: You know when a show ends with a cliffhanger, and you haven't finished eating all your popcorn? Well, my friend, 

[00:00:06] Jen: add a little more butter to your bucket as we close the loop from last week's episode. 

[00:00:12] Jen: Last week we were not hemming and hawing, but we were humming. Humming as low as we could go and stretching our mouths in all sorts of new patterns to practice using our podcasting voice. That Q& A episode leads right into this week's promise .

[00:00:29] Jen: to respond to part B of Andrea's question. Here's her show stopping two part question to get us to the bottom of that popcorn bucket.

[00:00:39] Andrea: Hi, Jen, it's Andrea, and I had several questions, but I tried to narrow it down. So here goes one. How much training do you recommend as far as voice training? And part B to that is how much voice training would you need just to get started 

[00:00:58] Jen: If you want the skinny on part one, 

[00:01:00] Andrea: How much training do you recommend as far as voice training ,

[00:01:04] Jen: you know what to do. Scroll down in your podcasting app to get to episode number 237. Once you're done with today's show or simply click the link in the show notes. Today, we're going to tackle how much voice training you need to get started with a podcast. When we're wrestling with the idea of starting our own podcast, we've got tons of questions just like Andrea's. Let's face it, there are so many things we couldn't possibly intuitively know. That doesn't mean we can't know them. In fact, I believe learning how to launch a show is 100 percent knowable.

[00:01:40] Jen: It's not complicated when you have a systematic approach to creating and launching your show. On today's episode, I'll not only answer how much voice training you need to get started, but I’ll also share key things you must know and do before you record your first message into your microphone. In fact, before [00:02:00] you even buy a microphone, let's make sure that podcasting is a good fit for you.

[00:02:06] Jen: When you learn how simple it is to prepare to launch your show, that it won't take you 20 hours a week, for example, you make room in your mind to ask yourself, better questions. Before we get to the really good stuff, like how do we reach audiences organically with the power of SEO to monetize podcasting, we've got to answer all those nagging, Nelly questions like these.

[00:02:31] Jen: How much time does it really take, Jen, to do the prep work before you launch? 

[00:02:35] Jen: How long should my episodes be? 

[00:02:38] Jen: How the heck do we get this thing on everybody's phones? 

[00:02:41] Jen: What software do I need to create my own show? 

[00:02:45] Jen: Do I have to edit it too? What about all that production stuff? How do I do that, Jen? Do I have to do that, Jen?

[00:02:52] Jen: What about how often I release episodes? Is it every day? Is it every week? Is it once a month? What's a good fit for me? 

[00:03:01] Jen: Am I supposed to do a solo show, or is it better to go all in on interviews? What about a mix? Can I have a hybrid of solo and interviews? Yowza, I've been podcasting for four years. And listing all those things out is enough to make anyone want to run in the opposite direction. Knowing what I know now, I'm running towards it, not away from it, because podcasting is one of the most powerful mediums available. 

[00:03:30] Jen: lest you think podcasting is saturated. According to the latest report from podmatch.com on podcasting industry totals, of the about 3 million podcasts that are out there, only 14 percent of them are active. 

[00:03:46] Jen: You did not become a successful entrepreneur by quitting and successful podcasters don't quit either. 

[00:03:55] Jen: You'll stick around to the end of this episode so you can make an informed [00:04:00] decision. Because if you don't, and you launch your show, you're likely to

[00:04:04] Jen: be part of that 93.58 % that quit before reaching key milestones. And about half of that 93. 58 % who quit, quit after the eighth episode. 

[00:04:21] Jen: All right, keep popping that popcorn as I share with you that The mission of Time to Simplify is to not only blow those stats out of the water, or flip them upside down, we'll also shush Negative Nelly's voice,

[00:04:35] Jen: And replace her with the voice of experience. 

[00:04:38] Jen: That's where I come. In each week. I'm on a mission to bring you edutainment about all things podcasting for your business. Did you catch that? When you put a show together, part of the work requires that you adopt two key elements. Educating and entertaining your audience. It won't shock you to hear that storytelling plays a key role in your podcast episodes.

[00:05:01] Jen: And you already use stories to engage your audience on socials and in your email marketing campaigns. You use the same stories in podcasting. It's just like talking to a friend in a coffee shop. You create meaningful connection through the power of your story in a conversation with someone. Hey there, I'm Jen Rogers, your hostess with the mostest.

[00:05:23] Jen: I believe podcasting is your secret weapon to deepen engagement with your audience. I also believe it's a beautiful opportunity for you to get close to your ideal listeners heart and into their head as you close that trust gap and share how you are the best solution to their current need. That's my prayer for this show, that we get close and build powerful collaborations as co podcasters.

[00:05:51] Jen: I'll light the path for you so you can launch your podcast in 90 days. You'll learn how easy and fun podcasting can be when you stick to proven [00:06:00] formulas that ease the burden of content creation and speak to your audience in a way only podcasting offers. How did I get here? To edutain about all things podcasting in your business?

[00:06:12] Jen: The hard way, friend. I launched my show without a solid idea of my business purpose. I was clueless about growth, didn't have any idea about monetization, and all those other negative Nelly questions we shared above. Fun fact, all those negative Nelly questions, I didn't even ask them. 

[00:06:32] Jen: I just sat my sweet tush down in the seat, hit record, and rolled with it. A clueless, planless wonder. It's not a strategy I would recommend. The way I see it is you've got two choices. One, mimic the clueless, planless strategy.

[00:06:49] Jen: Don't do that! Or two, learn how easy it is to create evergreen content, grow your business organically, create meaningful partnerships and collaborations and save a ton of time posting and hoping that socials will close the trust gap. You can launch a podcast in 90 days when you invest in learning how to do it the right way.

[00:07:13] Jen: Are you ready to create your personalized 90 day podcasting sprint?I invite you to head on over to www.CoachJenRogers.com/BookACall  to learn more.

[00:07:24] Jen: Now, this is the part where I let you know, we're about to dive into today's episode sidebar. The great thing about podcasting is before we dive in, if you want to refill your popcorn bucket, you can do that while keeping me in your earbuds and your listeners can do the same. In fact, 

[00:07:44] Jen: Most likely they will. They'll be driving. They'll be doing house chores. They'll be doing all these other things in conjunction with listening to your show. That's why it's important when you start out with your show, you have a hook at the very [00:08:00] beginning. you know, one other interesting fact about podcasting is whereas the attention deficit that we're all experiencing by being bombarded by everything 

[00:08:11] Jen: We know that in podcasting, you have about three minutes, those first three minutes when your listeners are continuing to listen to you for three minutes, they'll stay listening. So, it's way longer than that three seconds, and this goes to the point I shared with you at the beginning of the episode.

[00:08:30] Jen: You must edutain. You must hook them in. You must tell them what it is that you're going to tell them, and then you've got to tell them what you promised to tell them, and you need to have fun and be engaging and invite them into your episode in the process. 

[00:08:45] Jen: All right, let's get started with episode number 238 of Time to Simplify. It's a good one! I am so thankful that you are here.

[00:08:55] Jen: All right, let's dive in. The very first question I want to get to-let's start with the showstopper or should I say podcast-stopper question. Time. I believe podcasting can be simplified when you know how much time it's going to take to put together an episode. Let me give you a behind the scenes view of what it looks like for me.

[00:09:20] Jen: The first step, Align topics with questions from my audience. I bet you do this already too. The next step, have a content management plan, which you've already got for your business. Then I research the topic. Next up is using my proprietary framework to create an engaging intro to hook my listener and share what they'll learn on this episode.

[00:09:48] Jen: If I have a guest, I'll share about my guest and a bit about myself and my mission, the what and the why that has me sharing this message with you. Next up, I'll share a light [00:10:00] call to action. If you were to go back to about the six minute mark and 43 second mark, you'll hear my CTA. 

[00:10:08] Jen: Next up is recording what I've written in that framework. I use Descript. Absolutely love Descript. If you're not using it yet to create content, I'll put a link in the show notes and affiliate link of course that you can use. I highly recommend Descript. I edit as I go. 

[00:10:27] Jen: if something doesn't come out quite right, I'll go back and say it again. Recording and editing in Descript. as you go is as easy as editing a Word document. For me, this framework gives me great clarity on how I'm showing up for the episode. So once that's recorded, I am in a rhythm and I'm feeling really good about what I'm going to talk about next.

[00:10:51] Jen: Typically, I'll identify three key points that I want to share with you. Then I dive into recording the episode because I know my content because I've done the research. So all of this is not written out. Key points that I want to share with you are written down so that I stay on task and remember them.

[00:11:12] Jen: As I'm recording, I keep an eye on the clock because I want to ensure that my episode stays around 20 minutes. And as I'm recording this portion into Descript, I will edit as I go. And then, I'll issue a final CTA at the end. 

[00:11:29] Jen: So that's the recording process. It's pretty simple. So what do you do after you have this great episode recorded? Well, you upload the audio into your podcasting home. For me, I use Buzzsprout. I'll put that link in the show notes for you as well.

[00:11:45] Jen: It's a home that ensures my podcast gets released on all the podcasting platforms. That's how it gets on my phone. I don't do that. Buzzsprout takes care of that for me. I utilize AI to help me craft the title and [00:12:00] the show notes. Let's be real here, AI, you know, sometimes there are some things it produces that are head scratchers and it's not necessarily done in my voice either.

[00:12:10] Jen: So it's just an idea to help me create show notes that will be meaningful. So I never copy and paste AI. I never do that.

[00:12:19] Jen: Next up is using AI to generate the transcript, which I also upload into Buzzsprout. And that's it. I've got the release date set, and Buzzsprout does that automatically. I release on Thursdays at 5 a. m. Eastern. And there's some research that goes into that. There's a reason why I release on Thursdays at 

[00:12:41] Jen: 5 a.m. Eastern. So once all that work is done, you have this great content that's created that's aligned with how you show up and serve your clients. It's following your content plan and it's incorporating feedback that you're getting along the way from your audience. So, if you're asking on social, Hey, how can I help you with this?

[00:13:00] Jen: thing that you do really well, or what questions do you have about this subject, you'll get direct questions from your clients. And those are what you answer on your show. So people, you know, that they're valid, that that question is valuable, that it's a valid thing that your ideal client is concerned about right now.

[00:13:21] Jen: So one episode from start to finish, it takes about four hours. Do you have four hours a week to create compelling content that connects with your ideal client? What content creation tools are you using right now that you could replace by creating this evergreen resource called a podcast? How much value do you bring to each episode that builds trust with your client?

[00:13:48] Jen: I mean, let's face it when you close that 18-inch gap from the earbud to the heart. That is a sacred place to be. And that is where trust is built. Those [00:14:00] thoughts they're hearing from you, work their way down into the heart. And that's what builds connection. That's what closes the trust gap.

[00:14:11] Jen: A quick note: if four hours is too much for you, you can cut that time in half when you hire out editing and production of your show. Do you have two hours a week to grow your business footprint and thus grow your income? Okay. Time. 

[00:14:27] Jen: That is handling the biggest objection. I bet you have four hours a week to create compelling content. And if that's too much, I know that I know that I know that you have two hours a week to create compelling content. 

[00:14:44] Jen: Okay, let me answer a few other things and at the very end, I will respond to Andrea's how much time do I need practicing my podcasting voice before I can nuzzle up to a microphone? Okay, here's another question. How long should my episodes be? Well, it depends. It depends on who your audience is and how they listen to podcasts.

[00:15:08] Jen: I recommend you start out with shorter episodes and because of the attention span that we have now and the time that we have in between things, I believe shorter is better. And I'll tell you as a podcast listener, well, let me ask you this! As a podcast listener, when you go to a podcast app and you see a show that's One hour and 58 minutes, one that's 24 minutes, one that's 58 minutes, one that's 15 minutes.

[00:15:36] Jen: Which one are you going to choose? You're likely going to choose one that is shorter and it requires cultivating your audience to create longer shows that they'll stick around for. We're not trying to be Joe Rogan or Huberman Lab here. This is not what we're trying to do. We don't need a million gazillion followers.[00:16:00] 

[00:16:00] Jen: We can create a show that reaches a thousand loyal listeners and create great impact. Okay, so how long should my episodes be? Shorter is better. And that's something that we can talk about when we plan your 90 day sprint. Okay, how the heck do we get this thing on everybody's phones?

[00:16:21] Jen: I answered that above. That's part of the upload to your podcasting home. What software do I need to create my own show? You don't need a bunch of software. However, Descript is the bomb in my opinion. So I highly recommend Descript. So Descript, you can get Descript, well, now this is the timing of the show, November 7th, 2024 release date.

[00:16:46] Jen: But for a few hundred dollars a year, you can have 30 hours a month of recording inside of Descript. And Descript, D E S C R I P T, allows you to do audio and video and clips and all kinds of amazing things. The other software is wherever your podcasting home is.

[00:17:06] Jen: And Buzzsprout, anywhere from eight to twenty dollars a month. It's, it's dirt cheap. the software and your microphone, those are the least expensive things when it comes to podcasting. The most expensive thing is your time.

[00:17:21] Jen: This is why weighing the amount of time that you have each week to create valuable content, that's for you to decide. How do you want to create content? Okay. Let's see. Uh, another question. Do I have to edit it too? What about all that production stuff? How do I do that? And do I have to do that?

[00:17:43] Jen: Well, you must edit. I firmly believe you must edit. I know there are a lot of riffers out there for podcasting. They want to riff. I believe you must edit your show and you do that for your listener. It is for the benefit of your listener that you edit your show. 

[00:17:58] Jen: As far as do [00:18:00] you have to do all the production stuff when I work with clients one on one, I walk them through the entire process so they understand the editing process, because when you're hiring someone to edit and produce your show, it's better to have an understanding of the work that you are asking them to do.

[00:18:17] Jen: This is why we do it together in the 90 Day Sprint. So I won't leave you hanging, I promise. Okay, uh, how often do I release episodes? Every day? Every week? Once a month? What's a good fit for me? Well, what is a good fit for you? There are all different types of shows that have all different release schedules.

[00:18:36] Jen: I release one a week, and when I want to do more than one a week, I'll drop a couple of bonus episodes. You could also go into, although we're not going to go in there today, how you could have some private podcasts or some private podcast episodes that you could use as a lead magnet. Okay, so once a week, four hours a week if you're doing the whole thing from start to finish or two hours if you're pushing the production out.

[00:19:01] Jen: If you decide to do more than one show a week, then it's basic multiplication. The number of shows that you're doing times the number of hours you're investing, either that two hours or that four hours to create that stellar influential content that is repurposed over and over again because it is evergreen.

[00:19:22] 

[00:19:22] Jen: All right. One more question before we get to the voice training that you need before you launch your show. 

[00:19:29] Jen: do I do a solo show, Jen, or do I go all in on interviews? Or do I mix it up? Can I have a hybrid of solo and interviews? Well, yes, yes to any of those. You decide what's going to work best for you. when you interview people for your show, there's a bit more of administrivia there.

[00:19:49] Jen: That's the booking the slot. That's recording together. So it comes down to time management. that time you spend interviewing, then [00:20:00] the research, the amount of time that you spend researching will shift because the content is coming from the person that you're interviewing.

[00:20:09] Jen: So it's important to have a good interview process in place so you can screen out those people that you know are not a good fit for your show. Okay. All right. The whole question that kicked off episode number 238, how much voice training do you need? The answer? I believe it will take about five minutes, maybe 10.

[00:20:33] Jen: Okay, maybe 10 minutes max. And what, I know, I know, it sounds like that doesn't even seem possible. Yet, you've been talking your whole life. You have experience using your voice to make a point. So the 5 to 10 minutes that you might need for voice training is to practice using the microphone.

[00:20:56] Jen: each microphone is a little bit different. and you have to learn where you place the microphone in relation to your mouth. So I'm going to go up on my microphone real quick here. One second. Okay, I'm up on my microphone. My lips are actually touching the microphone.

[00:21:12] Jen: That's probably not good. I'm at the normal position now of where I speak into the microphone when I record episodes. Now I'm going to back away. Okay, I'm back here and I'm talking at the same volume. Could you notice a difference between the sound?

[00:21:29] Jen: And that right there, sweet friend, proves my point. That exercise took me one minute, technically a little bit less than one minute. 

[00:21:40] Jen: As you process what it's going to take to launch your own podcast, the real question is, how do you want to generate content? And I suspect that when you choose podcasting, You'll find you'll save time creating content because one podcast episode gives you [00:22:00] so much content to slice and dice and share.

[00:22:04] Jen: the great thing about podcasting is you draw from all of that work that you've already done. All of those client interactions that you have, all of those All of the trainings that you've done, you are the powerhouse of knowledge.

[00:22:17] Jen: So it's not as though you're creating something that's completely foreign to you. In fact, if you're in business, you're probably doing what you love most. Doing so you get to talk about what you love doing and you get to help people move from where they are To where they long to be by the power of your voice 

[00:22:39] Jen: Now, I want to let you in on a little secret. I violated something in preparing this podcast episode for you. So the things that I shared with you, the recommendations that I made with you, every once in a while, you know, we've got to be flexible and we've got to shake some things up.

[00:22:55] Jen: If you know the one thing I violated in my recommendations, find me on the socials and let me know. I'd love to hear from you. Or you can send me an email at Jen@coachjenrogers.com . 

[00:23:07] Jen: And that, my friend, is a wrap. That'll do it for episode number 238 of Time to Simplify. I'm your host and podcast coach, Jen Rogers. If you are interested in learning more about your own private 90-day sprint, I'd love to hear from you.

[00:23:25] Jen: And this is my final call to action. Head on over to www.CoachJenRogers.com/BookACall to learn more, to learn how you can launch your influential, binge worthy show

[00:23:39] Jen: in 90 days, without all the tech headache, without wondering about all the things that you are supposed to do. Instead, you will follow a roadmap to success. So you can move to creating amazing content [00:23:54] in as little as two hours a week.

[00:23:57] Jen: God bless you. And I will catch you in the next episode.